THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE MENOMONIE, WI POLICE DEPARTMENT
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THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE MENOMONIE, WI POLICE DEPARTMENT |
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We at the Menomonie Police Department would like to extend greetings to all new and returning students. To help you become more familiar with our community, we have put together this page of information as a public service. The City of Menomonie has many ordinances; Some of which are not necessarily unique to our city, but are frequently misunderstood or overlooked by city residents. If you are new to Menomonie, you may find this information very helpful. If you have lived in the area, you may find something you were never aware of. The ordinances outlined in this packet have been in place for many years, but may have been revised. The ordinances are intended to provide for the health, safety and welfare of all residents. We frequently respond to calls for information regarding the fines for several ordinances, therefore, we’ve included fine amounts that are current as of October 2005. Fine amounts are set by the City Council and are intended to encourage voluntary compliance. The Menomonie Police Department, along with our community leaders and residents take great pride in what our city has to offer. We ask that you help us promote good citizenship and help keep our city beautiful. Please take a few minutes to look over the ordinances that affect students. Storage of Furniture, Yard Parking, Garbage, Calendar Parking, Open Containers, Loud Noise, Bonfires, House Parties, Other Alcohol Related Information, Lawn Maintenance, Snow/Ice Removal from Sidewalks, Abandoned Vehicles, Tenant’s Property Left Behind, Bicycle Registration, Use of In-Line Skates, Playing Ball and Having Fun, The Rights of the Pedestrian, Protect Your Property, Uncontrolled Intersections Storage of Furniture
Furniture intended for indoor use can not remain outside. This does not apply to items left outside for refuse collection, or items that are protected from the weather inside a porch. Remember to call ahead for refuse collection, as most waste management businesses will not pick up furniture unless you call ahead. If cited, the fine is $148.00.
Your property owner/manager can tell you where you may park on the property. Your property owner is responsible for maintaining an improved surface for you to park on. The City Building Inspectors Office has a record of all rental properties and can also tell you where authorized parking areas exist on your lot. Generally, motor vehicles can not be parked on the front or street side yard (for corner lot properties), in residential areas. It is not a violation to park a vehicle in the back yard. However, you may want to check with your property manager for lease restrictions. Fines for yard parking are $15.00. The fine increases if not paid or contested in a timely manner.
Curbside collection is available by private contractors. Your garbage container can be placed curbside w/in 24 hours of pickup, and then must be removed w/in 12 hours after pickup. If your garbage spills, or is not adequately contained, you will be responsible for clean up. MPD officers are encouraged to initiate contacts to prevent unsightly garbage accumulation before complaints are received. It is not unusual for residents to receive fines for littering in these situations. If cited, the fine is $186.00 City crews routinely work during nighttime hours to maintain the city street. Calendar parking procedures allow the city trucks to plow more effectively and efficiently when streets are unobstructed. Vehicles that become snowed in usually get towed to promote free flow of traffic. Starting November 1, to April 1, cars are required to park on a certain side of the street overnight. On even dates, cars should park on the even side of the street/avenue. On odd dates, cars should park on the odd side of the street/avenue. Enforcement usually begins around 2:00 A.M. Therefore, you should park your car for the date at midnight. As an example, if you park your car at 10 P.M. on January 10, you should park your car on the odd side of the street/avenue since midnight becomes January 11 (an odd date). You can tell which side is odd or even by checking the house addresses. Fines for violations of calendar parking are $15.00. They increase if not paid or contested in a timely manner. Open containers of beer or alcohol are not allowed while on any public sidewalk, street or alley. This applies in both residential and business areas. If cited, the fine is $160.80. Loud noise complaints are one of the most common complaints we respond to. The ordinance states, “…no person owning, occupying or having charge of any premises may cause or allow any unreasonably loud or excessive noise, which tends to disturb the comfort, quiet or repose of any reasonable person in the vicinity…” In other words, noise may include voices, stereo, radio, television, instruments, machinery, and even barking dogs. The source of the noise is not relevant. The standard is whether it is considered unreasonably loud or excessive. There are no time limits enforced in residential areas, although time of day is a factor taken into consideration. In public places, such as a restaurant or bar, the ordinance prohibits loud noise between 1:00 A.M. and 7:00 A.M. The source of the noise prohibited is restricted to radio, stereo or other mechanical or electrical devices. If cited for a noise violation, the fine ranges from $249.00 - $501.00 depending upon the number of prior offenses.
A large, roaring bonfire is not allowed in the
City of Menomonie. Under Menomonie City Ordinance 14.2(8), "No
person shall cause, allow, aid, suffer, or maintain any open burning of any
kind or the burning of any waste material or rubbish in any incinerator,
barrel, can, pit, fireplace, or similar container or enclosure." This
basically states that the burning of any material is not allowed except for
"recreational fires" (for enjoyment) or burning in an "outdoor cooking apparatus"
(for cooking food) as defined
below.
The requirements established for "recreational fires":
The restrictions listed above only apply to "recreational fires" that are not contained in an "Outdoor cooking apparatus". The "Outdoor cooking apparatus" does have to be used at ground level. Repeat violations at your property will likely result in a fine. If cited, the fine is $148.20. The city ordinances relating to alcohol violations adopt the same language as Wisconsin State Statute. State law requires a person to be licensed to sell beer or alcohol. Previous court cases have ruled that donations and payment for other party favors that may “hide” payment for beer or alcohol are not legal. In addition, providing beer or alcohol to anyone under 21 years old is also illegal. Because city ordinance adopts the state statutes, a person who engages in selling beer or alcohol without a license and/or furnishing beer or alcohol to an underage person could be charged with either an ordinance violation or state statute violation. If a person is charged with a liquor law state statute violation, it will result in a misdemeanor criminal charge. This charge could mean you go to jail and have a permanent criminal history that future employers look at. Each underage person who is served is considered a separate violation; therefore, hosts of parties may potentially receive numerous citations for furnishing. In addition, each individual host of a party may also receive a citation for sale without a license because each person shares in the responsibility of what happens on the premises. In other words, each tenant could receive a citation for the same party. Many property managers also have lease restrictions prohibiting kegs from being on the property. Check with your landlord for more information. Houses or properties that have repeated “parties” may also be considered as having a business producing income. This income is subject to tax in the eyes of the IRS. There have been occasions where we’ve referred information to the IRS for prosecution. Fines increase with subsequent offenses. Alcohol Furnishing $438.00 - $1383.00Sale w/o a License $753.00 - $1383.00 Other Alcohol Related Information In addition to the above, we also receive inquiries regarding the fines for other alcohol violations. The following offenses usually include a mandatory court appearance. Other penalties may be imposed if found guilty, including suspension of the offender's driver's license. Underage on Licensed Premises (in a bar underage) $438.00 to $753.00 Underage Consumption/Possession $249.00 to $753.00 Fake ID $501.00 Please be aware that if you are underage, you may not be in a bar or try to enter a bar. These are separate offenses from underage drinking and will cost you more money in fines. Every owner or tenant(s) of any premises having a lawn is responsible to cut and maintain that lawn at a height not exceeding nine inches (9”) on such premises as well as any adjacent boulevard. If not maintained, the City may mow the lawn and recover costs by billing the property owner for each occurrence. Snow/Ice Removal from Sidewalks If there has been an accumulation of snow or ice on the sidewalk, the property owner or tenant(s) are responsible for removing the snow or ice from the full width of the sidewalk prior to twelve o’clock (12:00) noon on the date following the end of the snowfall. A “sidewalk” is defined as an improved surface of stone, brick, cement, concrete, asphalt or like material constructed for the use of pedestrians, which is located in front of or adjoining any lot or parcel of land. If not maintained, the City may clear the sidewalk and bill the owner for each occurrence. Repeated occurrences can accumulate to significant costs. It’s important to keep the walks open so everyone, including people using motorized conveyances, can travel safely.
If you own or have custody of any junked motor vehicle, abandoned motor vehicle, or motor vehicle accessories, the vehicle and/or accessories cannot be stored or allowed to remain on any private property for a period of more than thirty (30) days. “Junked motor vehicle” means any motor vehicle which is partially dismantled or wrecked and which cannot safely or legally be operated. “Abandoned motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle which, through disuse and failure to be used, remains in one location for a period of thirty (30) days or more, or a motor vehicle, which does not have current registration. Abandoned vehicles have been a significant problem in the past, therefore, we encourage officers to initiate complaints. Our practice includes warning letters with subsequent citations for each day of the violation. Fines begin at $148.20. Both the property owner and vehicle owner are held responsible. When a tenant moves out and leaves property behind, the landlord may remove and store the property. The landlord must notify the tenant, personally or by mail within 10 days of the date on which storage charges begin. The landlord does not have to give the property back until the tenant pays for the actual and reasonable cost of removal and storage. Medicines and medical equipment are not subject to the lien. The landlord may not require the tenant to pay for anything other than for actual and reasonable costs of storage to reclaim the stored property. Bicycle Registration “A Must” Bicycle thefts often occur on campus and off campus throughout the year. If you plan to operate a bicycle upon any street within the City of Menomonie, you are required first to properly register and tag the bicycle at the Menomonie Police Department. The cost is $2.00 and the registration is non-expiring. Keep in mind, the registration of your bicycle significantly increases the chances that your stolen bicycle will be recovered. The City of Menomonie has redesigned the sidewalk and roadway corridors to ensure the safety of pedestrians and motorists in the downtown area. The use of in-line skates, bicycles, and play vehicles (skate board, roller skates, sled, toboggan, and unicycle or toy vehicle upon which a person may ride) are prohibited in specific areas. When traveling through the downtown area, you will notice that there are signs posted to assist you in identifying these restricted areas. Routes are designated to prevent collisions between pedestrians and skaters in congested areas. This is regularly enforced, so be careful what route you take. If cited, fines range from $148.20 to $186.00. “Be Extremely Careful and Slow Down” There are several intersections in the neighborhoods throughout the City of Menomonie where there are no stop or yield signs posted. Severe accidents do occur at these intersections so be careful and keep in mind the following rules. When two (2) vehicles approach or enter an intersection at approximately the same time, the operator of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right. The operator of any vehicle who is speeding forfeits any right-of-way, which he or she would otherwise have under this rule. Public safety is very important to all communities. We encourage everyone to have fun during his or her stay in Menomonie, but remember to act responsibly. City ordinances prohibit playing ball in the roadway and throwing snowballs at any vehicle or building, other private/public property, or at persons. Our Department receives numerous complaints from motorists and pedestrians alike regarding right-of-way issues. This becomes a significant problem during bar closing hours in the downtown area and when students are traveling to and from classes. Keep in mind the following rules: 1) Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked or unmarked crosswalk shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway. 2) No person shall stand or loiter on any roadway other than in a safety zone if such act interferes with the lawful movement of traffic. 3) When crossing the roadway at an intersection or crosswalk where traffic is not controlled by traffic control signals or by a traffic officer, the operator of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian. This needs to be consistent with the safe use of the crosswalk by pedestrians, who is crossing the highway within a marked or unmarked crosswalk. 4) The operator of a vehicle at a controlled intersection shall yield the right-of way to pedestrians, who have started to cross the highway on a green or “Walk” signal and in all other cases pedestrians shall yield the right-of-way to vehicles lawfully proceeding ahead on a green signal. 5) No pedestrian shall suddenly leave the curb or other place of safety and walk, run or ride into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is difficult for the operator of the vehicle to yield. We’d also like you to be aware of other complaints we respond to throughout the year in hopes that you can help us reduce property losses and keep you and your neighbors safe. We respond to many burglary and theft complaints where people have left their bikes and vehicles unlocked and their homes or apartments open for extended periods of time. This, of course, makes it pretty easy for someone to walk away with your property. It’s also impossible for officers to recognize when someone is stealing something when access is so easy. You can help us help you by securing your property when you’re not home. If you know your neighbors are away, please call if you see something suspicious at their home. Thank you for your interest and support in keeping Menomonie a great place to live! If you’d like more information on state laws or city ordinances, you may research this information at most public libraries. The ordinances may also be available to you through City Hall or at the Police Department.
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